Domestic laundry unit



Oct. 23, 1945. A. J. PATH 2,387,407

DOMESTIC LAUNDRY UNIT Filed May 10, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet l fpuenof 551. 22 ([1 0 Oct. 23, 1945. A. J. IDATCH 2,387,407

DOMESTIC LAUNDRY UNIT Filed May 10, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ZZZ/Jew? Oc t.23, 1945. A. J. PATCH DOMESTIC LAUNDRY UNIT Filed May 10, 1943 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Oct. 23, 1945, A. J. PATCH, 2,387,407

DOMESTIC LAUNDRY UNIT Filed May 10, 1943 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 in some homes.

Patented Oct. 23. 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DQMESTIC LnUNnaY UNIT Allen J. Patch, Ripon, Wis., assignor to Robert W. Lamont Application May 10, 1943, Serial No. 486,289

9 Claims.

This invention relates generally to domestic washing machines and in particular to a complete domestic laundry unit including thewashins, rinsing and drying operations.

Domestic washing machines of the prior art means for rinsing the clothes is left to the discretion of the user who provides either standard metal rinse tubs or utilizes set laundry tubs which are usually part of the plumbing fixtures These facilities for washing clothes are generally unsatisfactory in that it is often diilicult to relatively arrange the washingmachine and the rinsing tubs sothat it is contub into a first rinse, from the first rinse into a second rinse and from the second rinse into a laundry basket Further; the various movements 20 This is one of the main reasons why home launrequired by the operator in accomplishing these daring is 11013011011513! p001 in rinsing and why operations generally placethe operator in awkward positions which oftentimes contribute to seriouswringer accidents.

.venient to wring the clothes from the washer passing through the wringer have a considerable period of time in which they can expand and absorb air.

As a result of this absorption of air by the clothes, the clothes do not immediately sink on dropping into the rinse tub but float about on the surface of the water in the rinse tub. The surface of the rinse water, after the rinsing of a few clothes, becomes covered with soap curds an lint which is gathered by the clothes floating on the surface of the rinse water. Even when the operator do'uses the clothes up and down in the rinse water, as isthe common practice the surface tension of the soapy surface Water tends to make this dirt film, comprised of the lint and soap curds, cling to the clothes. Thus almost the entire dirty surface film on the'rinse water, un-

less great care is exercised, is removed with the clothes as they are taken from the rinse tub.

white clothes continuously become grayer and colored clothes become dull and smudgy.

It is an object of this invention. therefore, to"

A further objection to the 'usual domestic provide an improved domestic washing machine.

washing machine having a wringer is found in the wringer being carried outside of the wash tub. and generally above the wash tub, so as to always furnish a problem in storing the wash- 3 ingmachine when it is not being used. Also,

when. the wringer is above the wash tub it is apparent that, during storing, the location of any articles on the top of the washing machine Or the covering of themachine to appear as a tableis practically precluded. This structure is particularly objectionable where the use of the washingmachine is restricted to the kitchen of a 3 home. since when it is not in use, it constitutes a bulky and unsightly piece of furniture which detracts from a pleasing appearance of the kitchen or like room.

1 The location of a wringer above the wash tub of the machine; and the assembly with the is required generally to eliminate .the manual operation of transferring clothes from the wringerinto a rinse tub. "Since the rinse tubs generally used are rather large,.being comparable, in size to the capacityof the wash tub, the long 50 1 drain board on the wringer carries the clothes from the wringer to a position where they drop into the rinse tub. This transfer of the clothes from the wringer to the rinse tub is thus a relatively slow Operation; so that: the clothes after wringer of a relatively long and wid drain board R71 It is another object of this invention to provide a complete home laundry unit wherein the washing, rinsing and drying operations, are allefficiently and easily performed in a single complete unit, which is simple and compact in construction, and adapted to be economically manufactured on a production basis.

A further object is to provide rinsing means that avoids the inclusion of lint and soap curds in the clothes during a rinsing operation.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a domestic washing machine in which a wringer structure is arranged relative to a wash tub and rinsing tubs, 'formed as a part of the washing machine, to facilitate and speed up the wringing operations while permitting the operator to always be in a safe, comfortable operating position.

wringer structure is located within the confines of the wash tub to permit the machine being used as a table when it is not being operated.

A feature of this invention is found in the prowash tub and rinsing'tubs formed as a unitary body part thereof. A wringer'mechanism is arranged within such body part in a position relative to the wash and rinsing tubs such that clothes in one tub are conveniently passed Yet another object of this invention is to prode a washing machine in which an associated sion. of a domestic washing machine having athrough the wringer and received in a second tub. When the machine is not in use the body invention will become apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of my complete laundry unit with a portion of the top or cover of the unit broken away to show the relative arrangement of the tub portions and wringer in the unit;

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevational view of the unit shown in Fig. 1 as seen along the line 2-2 of Fig.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View of the dual wringer structure in my washing .machine as seen along the line 3-3 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the wringer structure shown in Fig. 3 as taken on the line .4-4 of Fig, 3;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the wringer head as seen along the line 5-5 in Fig. 1, with parts thereof broken away to show the relative assembly of the control mechanism for the wringer and a spray valve as will later be explained; and

Fig. 6 is an enlarged front elevation view of the wringer head shown inFig. 5, as seen looking I toward the right in Fig. 5.

In practicing my invention, I provide a unitary main tub of substantially square shape in cross section which is divided by vertical partition members into a washing portion of substantially square shape and two rinsing portions of substantially rectangular shape extended along adjacent sides of the main tub. A dual wringer structure is carried on one oi. the partition members such that one wringer 'of the dual wringer structure is adapted to carry clothes from the washing portion into a first rinsing portion, and

the other wringer from the first rinsing portion into a second rinsing portion. The two wringers are assembled in longitudinal alignment so as to be operated concurrently in reverse directions by a common drive means located therebetween.

It is recognized, of course, that in the rinsing of clothes there occurs on the surface of the rinsing water a film of dirt which is generally comprised of soap curds and clothes lint. In order to prevent this dirt film from adhering to the clothes passing through the rinsing portions the two wringers are supported so that the lower roll of each thereof is substantially at the level of the water in the washing and rinsing portions.

Thus in passing clothes through a wringer from the Washing portion into the first rinsing portion, and from the first rinsing portion into the second rinsing portion, it is only necessary to raise the clothes slightly above the level of the water in these portions to a height corresponding substantially to the diameter of the lower roll in each of the two wringers. Since the clothes on passing through a wringer are immediately dropped into a rinsing portion, practically no time is permitted fo rtheplothes to absorb any air so that they are immediately submerged in a rinsing portion where they quickly and thoroughly absorb clear rinse water. In some cases I may also subject the clothes to a spray of clear water as the clothes emerge from the rolls in order to get the full absorption benefit of the expansions. clothes are delivered by the wringer in a thin strip condition, their abutment against the walls of the narrow rinse tub arranges them in folds crosswise of the rinse tub where they are wedged in position for convenient handling and reinsertion in the wringer.

To keep the clothes awa from the dirt film during the handling of the clothes from the first rinsing portion to the second rinsing portion, and from the second rinsing portion to a clothes supporting portion, these rinsing portions are of a substantially rectangular shape so that the clothes may be conveniently moved under water in a direction longitudinally of the rinsing portions Prior to a wringing or drying operation. As a result the clothes are brought above the surface of the water, in the rinsing portions only when they are about to be passed through a wringer.

To eliminate the occurrence of any dirt film on the surface of the water through which the clothes are lifted there is provided a spray means for each rinsing portion which functions to continuously move the dirt film across a rinsing portion and to a suitable drain associated with the washing machine. The relative arrangement of the washing and rinsing portions with the dual wringer structure is such that the above described handling of the clothes is accomplished both conveniently and quickly while the clothes are substantially continuously submerged in the rinsing portions. The clothes are thus maintained free of the usual dirt film in the rinsing portions to provide in all an improved washing operation.

The peripheral line or marginal edge of the main tub is extended above the top level of the wringer so that the wringer at no time projects or extends above the top level of the tub. In some cases I may prefer to hinge the wringer so it may be stored below the top level of the tub. Thus, when the washing machine is not in use, the wringer structure and the washing and rinsing portions may be entirely enclosed by a fiat cover for the main tub. My washing machine is, therefore, particularly adapted for use as a piece of furniture when not in use since it may be covered with a cloth or the like and used in all respects as a table.

With reference to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings my washing machine is seen to include a unitary or main tub i4 divided by partition walls l5 and 16 to form a wash tub ill, a first rinse tub I I and a second rinse tub l2. The main tub I4 is of a substantially square shape supported on a conventional base l3 as shown. This is a preferred form of construction, although I realize the same result might be obtained in various ways. The tub l4 and partition walls l5 and I6 may be of a standard vitreous enamelled steel construction, but it is to be understood that this construction may be modified to provide insulation for the walls l5 and IE to prevent a rapid transfer of heat from the hot water in the wash tub to the cooler water in the rinse tubs II and I2.

The wash tub Ill is of a substantially square shape arranged in one corner of the main tub I4 and has a pair of outer adjacent sides com mon with portions of adjacent sides of the tub M. The rinse tubs I] and I2 are of a substantially rectangular shape and together form an L- When the shaped portion positioned about the pair of inner adjacent sides of the wash tub I0, which inner adjacent sides are comprised of the partition walls I and I9. As clearly appears from Fig. 1

the partition wall I} extends transversely across the tub I4 to separate th'erinse tub II from the rinse tub I2. By virtue of this arrangement and construction of the main tub I4 the rinse tubs II and I2 are very narrow as compared to conventional rinse tubs. This is an important feature of my invention as it provides for the clothes being readily submerged and forthe clearing of I the water surface in the rinse tubs, of soap curds pnd lint, by spray means 54 and I59 while presenting a minimum surface of rinse water to the hir. With this construction I am able to accomlish a better and more thorough rinsing jof the lothes as will later be more fully explained.

'I'hewater line I! of both the wash and. rinse waters, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2, is rather high and close to the top rim or edge T of the tub I4 in order to provide easy access to the clothes by the. operator even when the clothes arefully-submerged. This water line may be raised even closer to the tub rim T by hinging the wringer for sidewise movement to a stored position in a manner known to the art.'

In my invention the wringer W isof a dual construction and includes similar wringers 49 and 59 arranged in longitudinal alignment and supported on a common wringer head 23 located therebetween. The wringer 49 is located above the partition wall 25 between the wash tub I9 I and first rinse tub I I, and thewringer 59 is above the partition wall I5 between the first rinse tub II and the second rinse tub I2. A wringer supporting tube 22 for the wringer head 23 extends laterally through the partition wall I5. The wringer structure W is supported in a'fixed position on thetube 22 and projects above the tubs I9, II and I2 but below the upper marginal rim T of the main tub I4. As a result the wringer I structure, at all times, is within the confines of system I9 is accomplished in a conventional man i I nerby a belt and pulley transmission 2i,

- The drive head 23 (Figs. 3 and 5) includes a pair of spur gears 25 and 25 rotatably mounted on awringer drive shaft 24 and adjustably movable axially of the shaft 24 by a shifter yoke 21.

. 'l'heyoke'2'i is mounted on an eccentric 28a carried on a shaft, which also carries a control handle 29. Each gear 25 and 29 is associated with oppositely arranged face gears 33 and 34 which are connected with corresponding wringer drive shafts 4I :and42, respectively. The face gears 44' and 24 are similarly constructed with a hub portion H havingan annular recess R in one endn The wall of the recess R has a pair of oppositely arranged slots S for receiving an engaging pin 29, which is carried in each of the shafts 4| and 42. Each of the face gears 39 and I I4 is thus always connected with a corresponding shaft and 42, respectively, and'with the spur gears and 26, with the direction of rotation :ofjthe gears 22 and 34 and in turn of the shafts and 42 being determined by a selected engagement of a spur gear 25 and 29 with the drive-shaft 24. as controlled by the handle 29.

The forward. reverse and neutral positions of the handle 29 are defined by. a conventional ball, spring and detent arrangement 39. The spur gears 25 and 26 are formed with corresponding cross or transverse slots 25' and 26', respectively, for receiving corresponding engaging pins 3| and 32, respectively, which are extended through the drive shaft 24. When the handle 29 is rotated. the shifter yoke 21 operates to raise or lower the spur gears 25 and 26, whereupon a pin 3i or 32 is received in a corresponding slot 25 or 29', respectively, to selectively drive the face gears 33 and 34 from either of the spur gears 25 or 26. It will be appreciated that since theffaee gears 99 and 34 arearranged on opposite sides of the spur gears 25 and 26 that they will be driven. in,

opposite directions, with a reversal intheir direction of rotation or complete stoppage being accomplished by a manipulation of the control handle 29. L

The shafts 4I and 42 are rotatably supported in corresponding wringers 49 and 50, respective.- ly, and constitute axes for lower wringer rolls 43 and 44, respectively. Coacting upper wringer rolls 45 and 46, for the lower wringer rolls 43 and 44, respectively, are also supported in corresponding wringers 49 and 50, respectively. Althou h the two wringers described are conventional, I have taken every precaution to hold their overall height to a minimum, as shownin Fig. 4, so that the bite or rolling engagement between associated wringer rolls 43 and 45, and 44 and 46 is closely adjacent the water line I1. This is an important feature because it provides for the clothes being quickly transferred through the wringers to the rinse tubs II and I2 before the clothes have time for any appreciable expansion while exposed to the air. As a result the clothes are substantially air free and compressed at the time they are ready to be immersed in a rinse tub II or I2 and immediately sink due to their rapid absorption of water, which greatly increases the effectiveness of the rinsing as will later be explained.

In the operation of my domestic laundry machine the wash and rinse tubs are properly filled with water to the water line H. The clothes are initially placed in the wash tub l0 and washed by the action of the agitator I81. When the proper washing period has expired, the agitator is stopped and the wringers 49 and 50 operated by the control lever 29 to rotate in opposite directions for wringing clothes from the wash tub II! to the rinse tub II, and from the rinse tub I I to the rinse tub I2. In the wringing and rinsing of the clothes the operator first .takes the clothes from the wash tub I0 and passes them through the wringer 49. Since the bite or rolling engagement of the rolls 43 and 45of the wringer 49 is close to the water line I! the clothes are discharged substantially immediately from the wrin er 49 into the water in the rinse tub I I so that a relatively short period of time is afforded for the clothes to expand and absorb any appreciable amount of air. As a result, the

. clothes are in a highly pressed or contracted form when they enter the rinse tub I I and expand while they are in the water of the rinse tub -I I. This expansionoccurs concurrently with the absorbing by the clothes of water in the rinse tub II to almost complete saturation so that they readily sink or are forced under water by the sucare quickly immersed so as to be entirelyfree and out of contact with the usual dirt film which accumulates on the surface of the water in the rinse tub.

As was previously explained, the rinse tub II is of a rectangular form and has the long sides thereof arranged in a parallel relation with the wringer 49. The clothes, therefore, are discharged from the wringer 49 laterally of the rinse tub II and on immersion in the tub II tend to become wedged between the lon sides of the tub II. This wedging action, in conjunction with the water absorbed by the clothes, aids in keeping the clothes submerged. By virtue of this construction and action of the rinse tub II, even a very few clothes become bunched and wedged between the long sides of the tub II and below the surface of the water in the tub II. With the clothes thus immersed it has been found that only a slight handling by the operator of the submerged clothes provides a more effective rinsing of the clothes than is accomplished by the usual dousing of clothes in the conventional large rinsing tubs.

After several pieces of clothes have been transferred from the wash tub into the rinse tub II, as above described, the operator draws these clothes across the bottom of the rinse tub I I and starts them through the rollers 44 and 4B in the wringer 50, for transfer into the rinse tub I2, it being understood that the rolls 44 and 46 are reversely rotated relative to the rolls 43 and 45. Since the bite of the rolls 44 and 46 is also adjacent the water line H, the clothes discharged from the wringer 50 are substantially immediately submersed in the rinse tub I2 in a manner as was above fully explained for the clothes discharged by the wringer 49 into the rinse tub II. It is recognized, of course, that even though the clothes in the rinse tub II are,held under water as they are drawn to a position for insertion between the rolls 44 and 46 of the wringer 50 they must be lifted from the water in the rinse tub II prior to such insertion. During this lifting operation of the clothes the dirt film on the Water surface in the rinse tub II adjacent the wringer 50 tends to cling to the clothes. To eliminate this condition, I provide a water spray 54 in the rinse tub II which directs a spray of water longitudinally of the wringer 50 to skim the surface of the water in front of the wringer 50 of any dirt film, such as soap curds or lint. This water spray sets up a flow of water across the surface of the rinse tub II, which water flow carries the dirt film to a skimmer funnel 55 through which it is discharged to a sewer through a drain tube 56.

The skimmer funnel 55 is located adjacent a short side of the rinse tub II and opposite from the spray 54 so that the entire surface of the water in the rinse tub II is swept or skimmed fed into the wringer 50 is thus substantially eliminated. I have found that the slight underwater and rapid handlin of the clothes in the rinse tub II provides a more thorough rinsing action than where the clothes are retained for a relatively long period of time in the rinse wa- I clean of any dirt film. Since the most effective ter, particularly when the clothes are permitted to float on the surface of the rinse water. Fur-= ther, I have found that an operator can easily feed clothes to my dual wringers 49 and 50 to maintain them in continuous operation. The time required for the wringing operations is thus appreciably reduced. I After the clothes have been transferred into the second rinse tub I2 the control handle 29 is operated to reverse the direction of rotation of the wringers 49 and 50. With the wringers reversed the clothes in the rinse tub I2 are again passed through the wringer 50 and on to a shelf GI hinged on a side of the rinse tub I I and pivotally movable to a dotted line position, indicated as 5 Id in Fig. 2, across the tub I I and to the left of the wringer 50 as viewed in Fig. 1. The clothes in the rinse tub I2 are handled underwater to a position to the right of the wringer 50 as alsoviewed in Fig. 1. The partition wall I6 at "la is of an angular form to provide a wide feed and drain area for the wringer 50 so that although the rinse tub I2 is very narrow a full operation of the wringer 50 for both directions of rotation is accomplished.

To eliminate any dirt film in the rinse tub I2 from clinging to the clothes when they are lifted from the surface of the water in the rinse tub I2, I provide a water spray 58, similar to the water spray 54, which is carried on the partition wall I5 in a manner to spray water into the tub I2 to clear the surface of the water in the tub I2 in the same way as was described for the spray 54 in the tub I I. The surface water withall floating soap curds and lint is drained from the tub I2 through a skimmer funnel 59 and a Waste tube 50. The clothes in the tub I2 are thus lifted through a surface of clean, fresh water which is free of any dirt film.

The operation of the sprays 54 and 58 occurs alternately, that is the spray 54 is operated only sprays 54 and 59 concurrently with the reversal of the wringers 49 and 50 by controlling a twoway valve unit 52 by the control handle 29. The valve unit 52 includes an inlet 5I connected with a city water line or the like and a pair of outlets 53 and 51 connected with the sprays 54 and 58,

respectively (Figs. 5 and 6). On actuation of the handle 29 to operate the wringers 49 and 50 for the transfer of clothes from the wash tub I0 into the first rinse tub I I, and from the tub I I into the second rinse tub I2, the valve unit 52 is simultaneously operated to close the outlet 51 and direct water through the outlet 53 to the spray 54. When the wringers 49 and 50 are reversed by the control handle 29, to transfer clothes from the tub I2 on to the shelf 6|, the valve unit 52 is concurrently operated to close the outlet 53 and open the outlet 51 whichis connected with the spray 58. The single control lever 29, therefore, selectively controls both the operation of the wringers 49 and 50 and the sprays 54 and 58.

rim T of the unitary or main tub I4.

frictional engagement with a corresponding marginal edge E of a substantially fiat cover C for the main tub I4. When the machine is not in use, therefore, the wringers 49 and 50 and tubs It, I l and 12 are completely enclosed by the cover vC which constitutes a fiat horizontal table top.

The machine thus provides an attractive appearing piece of furniture for use as a table in a kitchen or like room, adapted to carry articles or objects of decoration in a usual manner. Further, the problem of storing the machine is made easier since as clearly appears from Figs. 1 and 2 the complete machine is portable and of a uniform, contour without projecting wringers or the like as in the washing machines generally of the prior art.

From a consideration of the above description, therefore, it is seen that my invention provides a unit washingmachine which is simple and comi pact in construction, capable of bein economically produced in large volumes, and operable to .the overall height of the machine being such that it can be used as a fiat top table which conforms i general appearance to other appliances used in the home.

Although I have described my invention with respect to a preferred embodiment thereof it is to be understood that it is not to be so limited, since modifications and changes can be made therein which are within the full intended scope of my invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a domestic laundry unit, a tub for washing clothes, a rinse tub along one side of the wash tub, a second rinse tub along another side of said wash tub at right angles to said first rinse 1 tub, and means to wring and transfer clothes from said wash tub to said first rinse tub and from said first rinse tub to said second rinse tub including coacting wringer rolls, with the bite of said rolls being closely adjacent the water line in said three tubs to rapidly transfer the clothes into said rinse tubs, said rapid transfer preventing the clothes from expanding and absorbing air to provide for a quick sinking of the clothes in saidrinse tubs.

2. A domestic laundry unit as defined in claim 1 including surface spray means to clear the rolls rotatable oppositely relative to the other pairof rolls, each of said pairs of rolls being adjacent the water line in said three tubs to rapidly transfer the clothes to prevent the clothes exsinking in the water in said rinse tubs.

4. Adomestic laundry unit as defined in claim 3, includin surface spray means for clearing the surface of the water insaid two rinse tubs.

5. In a domestic laundry. unit, a tub for washing clothes, a narrow rinse tub along one side of said wash tub, a second narrow rinse tub along another side of said wash tub at right angles to said first rinse tub, with one end of said second 'rinse tub abutting one side of said first rinse tub,

and means to simultaneously wring and transfer clothes from the wash tub to the first rinse tub and from the first rinse tub to the second rinse tub including two pairs of coacting wringer rolls, with one of said pairs of rolls rotatable oppositely relative to the other pair of wringer rolls, each of said pairs of rolls being closely adjacent the water line in said three tubs to provide a rapid transfer of the clothes to said two rinse tubs, with said rapid transfer substantially preventing the clothes from expanding and absorbing air to accelerate the sinking of the clothes in the Water in said two rinse tubs.

6. A domestic laundry unit as defined in claim 5, including surface spray and drain means operable during the wringin operations to maintain clean the surface of the water in said two rinse tubs.

7. In a domestic laundry unit, a tub for wash ing clothes, a rinse tub along one side of said wash tub, a second rinse tub along another side of said wash tub at right angles to said first rinse tub, with one end of said second rinse tub abutting a side of said first rinse tub, wringer means including a reversible gear head, a control for said gear head, a pair of drive gears with driving connections extended outwardy on opposite sides of said gear head, means for rotating said gears in opposite directions, a pair of coacting wringer rolls connected to each of said" drive gears, with said two pairs of wringer rolls being mounted on opposite sides of said gear head, and means for supporting said two pairs of wringer rolls to provide for a concurrent wringing and transfer of clothes from said wash tub to said first rinse tub and from said first rinse tub to said second rinse tub.

8. In a domestic laundry unit as defined in claim 7, a water valve operated by said control lever, surface spray means for each of said two rinse tubs connected with said valve, and a surface drain means for each of said two rinse tubs, with said spray means acting to clear the surface of the water in said rinse tubs when said wringer rolls are operated.

-9. In a domestic laundry unit, a square tank, partition means in said tank to form a substantially square wash tub in one corner of the tank and two narrow rinse tubs along the inside walls of said wash tub, means providing a washing action in said wash tub, means for ringing and transferring clothes between said wash tub and one of said rinse tubs and between said two rinse tubs, and means for operating said washing means and said wringing and transferring means.

ALLEN J. PATCH.

panding and absorbing air to accelerate their 

